DAY 1: UK - Bourgas.
Fly to Bourgas where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. (D)

DAY 2: Bourgas - Nessebur - Varna.
This morning, depart Bourgas and visit Nessebur, a small, historical town on the Black Sea coast, included in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites due to its architectural and archaeological uniqueness. A tour of the Old Town is included before heading to the city of Varna, the third largest city in Bulgaria. Here you will visit the historic Roman Baths, called Odessos in Roman times, thought to be one of the largest and most important bath-houses in the Eastern Roman Empire. Overnight stay in Varna. (B, D)

DAY 3: Varna - Shoumen - Veliko Târnovo.
Today, journey to the city of Shoumen to visit the Shoumen Fortress. Partially restored, this ancient fortress is set on the Shoumen Plateau and is the most historically and archaeologically significant site in the area. Learn about the history of the fortress, spanning over 3000 years, in the dedicated Fortress Museum before taking a short trip out to the village of Madara to view the Madara Horseman. Carved at the beginning of the 8th century, this medieval bas-relief, set in the rock face of Madara Plateau, remains intriguing and unique to this day. Accompanying inscriptions, in a Medieval Greek dialect, were made in three consecutive stages describing Bulgarian rulers between 6AD and 8AD and important events of the time. Next, you continue to one of the highlights of the tour, Bulgaria's ancient capital Veliko Târnovo. Situated amongst a cluster of hills, one of which, Tsarevets, is designated an archaeological reserve. Admire the preserved and restored architecture of the Baldwin Tower, the Palace of the Bulgarian Kings and the Patriarch's Church before returning to the city for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 4: Veliko Târnovo - Gabrovo - Kazanlak.
Journey to Gabrovo this morning; an old industrial centre set on the banks of the Yantra River. Here, you will have the opportunity to tour ETARA, a unique open-air ethnographic museum preserving the spirit of Bulgarian Renaissance. This 'living' museum re-enacts typical working crafts, folklore and cooking techniques common to 18th century Bulgarian village life, while each beautiful edifice is architecturally and historically accurate. Watch the artisans crafting everything from pottery, clothing and braids, to cowbells and flutes, before continuing to Kazanlak this afternoon. Known as the Valley of the Roses, Kazanlak is also home to a renowned Thracian Tomb. This ancient, vaulted burial chamber, constructed in 4BC, is part of a larger Thracian necropolis, filled with well-preserved and intricate murals depicting a ritual funeral and burial feast. After an included tour of the tomb, head to your hotel for an overnight stay in Kazanlak. (B, D)

DAY 5: Kazanlak - Sofia.
Depart today for Bulgaria's capital city - Sofia. As one of Europe's oldest capital cities, the city's motto 'ever growing, never ageing' is very appropriate. Set in a niche surrounded by mountains, the city is laden with history yet it is also very modern and the harmonious blend of past and present lends the city a unique charm. For your enjoyment there is an included sightseeing tour which includes a visit to the gold-domed Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Thought to be one of the most impressive architectural edifices in Europe, the cathedral is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Constructed between 1882-1912 in a Neo-Byzantine architectural style, the interior is lavishly decorated with many opulent materials, fine craftsmanship and numerous decorative frescoes, murals and icons. The cathedral crypt is also home to a museum of cultural icons that you will have time to view before continuing to your hotel in Sofia for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 6: Sofia - Rila - Borovets - Plovdiv.
Leave Sofia today and enjoy an included sightseeing tour of the Rila Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded by the hermit St Ivan Rilski (St John of Rila) in the 10th century, Rila Monastery was uniquely constructed and architecturally designed, and is now considered to be one of the most important cultural centres in Bulgaria. The interior houses many precious items including Rafail's Cross - an ornate cross carved from a single piece of wood, an intricate gold-plated iconostasis, murals and frescoes, the bishop's throne, a library of ancient manuscripts, and richly carved wood-work. Afterwards, continue to the city of Plovdiv, but before reaching your final destination of the day, enjoy a visit to the Borovets - the largest first-class mountain resort in Bulgaria. Here you have free time to explore the beautiful mountain scenery before resuming your journey to Plovdiv. Overnight stay in Plovdiv. (B, D)

DAY 7: Plovdiv - Sliven - Bourgas.
Bulgaria's 'second city' Plovdiv is set on the banks of the Maritsa River and across the three hills of Bounardzhika, Nebbet, and Sahat Tepe, overlooking the Thracian Plain. The strategic position of the city has ensured a rich and varied history of habitation and occupation from the Thracians and Romans, through the Byzantines and Ottomans, to the Turks and Bulgarians. A sector of Plovdiv's city is given over to the virtually autonomous region of Old Plovdiv, a large historical and architectural open-air museum dedicated to preserving the renaissance town's beautiful baroque architecture and traditions. Enjoy a tour of the area and wander amongst the cobbled streets and alleyways to admire the sophisticated yet stylishly simple architecture of the National Revival Period. Each ornate building and house, constructed by highly skilled craftsmen, is now home to a museum, gallery, workshop or craft-house illustrating the day-to-day life of a bygone era. Afterwards, enjoy a tour of the Roman Amphitheatre, unearthed in the 1980s, this impressive edifice once formed part of the Trimontium Acropolis when, in 2AD, the Romans appointed Plovdiv a state capital. The amphitheatre has since been restored and is currently used for its original purpose - a stage! We then continue to the picturesque town of Sliven, situated in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains and overlooked by the Sinite Kamani or 'Blue Stones', where a tour of the Textile Museum is included. One of the oldest settlements in Europe, 'Sliven' is the only town in Bulgaria to have kept its original Slavonic name and is renowned for its beautiful natural environment, nearby mineral springs and clean, fresh air. In the past, Thracians, Romans, Slavs, and Ancient Greeks have all left their mark on this fascinating town, leaving a wealth of cultural and now historic monuments in their wake. From Sliven, complete your tour with a journey back to Bourgas where you will have your own leisure time to relax or explore a little further. Overnight stay in the area. (B, D)

DAY 8: Bourgas - UK.
Transfer to Bourgas airport for your flight to the UK. (B)